Orthotic device for plantar fasciitis and related methods

ABSTRACT

An orthotic device for treatment of plantar fasciitis in a foot includes a shoe insole having a first longitudinal side and an opposing second longitudinal side, and a first end and an opposing second end. The shoe insole has a shape and size to be positioned within a shoe. The orthotic device also includes a massaging device carried by the shoe insole, where the massaging device is configured to be positioned on the shoe insole to be directly under a plantar fascia of the foot. In addition, the massaging device comprises a dome shape extending away from a surface of the shoe insole, and the massaging device abuts the first longitudinal side.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62/568,883 filed on Oct. 6, 2017, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of medical devices, and, more particularly, to an orthotic device for plantar fasciitis and related methods.

BACKGROUND

Orthotic devices are quite common for treating and mitigating effects from ailments of the foot. Indeed, in the United States, the orthotic insole market is valued at $1.726 billion for the 2016 calendar year.

Orthotic devices may be used to modify the structural and functional characteristics of the neuromuscular and skeletal system and are applied externally. Orthotic insole devices may comprise molded shoe inserts made up of leather, rubber, plastic or other synthetic material. They balance the foot in a neutral position and also provide cushioning to the foot.

One common disorder of the foot is plantar fasciitis. The exact cause of the disorder is unknown, but the disorder results in inflammation and pain of the plantar fascia, located on the bottom of the foot. Indeed, of the general population, some ten percent will experience plantar fasciitis during their lifetimes. Typical treatment for plantar fasciitis may comprise rest, changing of activities, pain mitigation medications, physiotherapy, orthotic devices, splinting, or steroid injections.

Some approaches to treatment of plantar fasciitis may include stretching and wearing a night brace to keep the foot flexed. In some difficult cases, a patient may undergo surgery to cut and release the plantar fascia.

Another approach to treatment of plantar fasciitis is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,349,487 to Hice. This approach includes a mechanical foot leverage orthotic system having a plate member positioned on top of one or more fulcrum members that are placed inside of a shoe.

SUMMARY

An orthotic device for treatment of plantar fasciitis in a foot is disclosed. The orthotic device includes a shoe insole having a first longitudinal side and an opposing second longitudinal side, and a first end and an opposing second end. The shoe insole has a shape and size to be positioned within a shoe. The orthotic device also includes a massaging device carried by the shoe insole, where the massaging device is configured to be positioned on the shoe insole to be directly under a plantar fascia of the foot. In addition, the massaging device comprises a dome shape extending away from a surface of the shoe insole, and the massaging device abuts the first longitudinal side.

The massaging device may also include a massaging material of a semi-rigid material or rigid polymer, or silicone gels or foams, urethane foams, or shape memory polymer resins. Also, the massaging device may include an electric powered vibratory unit, or beads suspended within the massaging material. In addition, the massaging device may comprise a microwavable silicone rubber layer sandwiched between upper and lower elastomeric layers that is configured to be heated in a microwave to retain heat in order to apply the heat to the plantar fascia.

In a particular aspect, the massaging device may be removably secured to the shoe insole, or integrated with the shoe insole. In yet another aspect, the massaging device may comprise an air-tight pocket filled with entrapped air.

The orthotic device may include a second massaging device carried by the shoe insole. The massaging device may comprise multiple layers of a self-adhering compression bandage. In another aspect, the massaging device may have an exterior surface covered in nodules extending away from the exterior surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic of the bones in a human foot.

FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of an orthotic device in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the orthotic device of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a schematic bottom view of the orthotic device of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5A is a cross sectional view of the orthotic device taken in the direction of line 5-5 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5B is a cross sectional view of the orthotic device taken in the direction of line 5-5 in FIG. 2 showing a second aspect of a massaging device.

FIG. 5C is a cross sectional view of the orthotic device taken in the direction of line 5-5 in FIG. 2 showing a third aspect of a massaging device.

FIG. 5D is a cross sectional view of the orthotic device taken in the direction of line 5-5 in FIG. 2 showing a fourth aspect of a massaging device.

FIG. 5E is a cross sectional view of the orthotic device taken in the direction of line 5-5 in FIG. 2 showing a fifth aspect of a massaging device.

FIG. 5F is a cross sectional view of the orthotic device taken in the direction of line 5-5 in FIG. 2 showing a sixth aspect of a massaging device.

FIG. 6 is a schematic top view of the orthotic device having a plurality of massaging devices in accordance with a particular aspect of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic top view of the orthotic device having a removable massaging device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which several embodiments of the invention are shown. This present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a view of bones of a human foot 2 are illustrated. In particular interest in this view is the calcaneous 4 or “heel bone” and the phalanges 8. The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that joins the calcaneous 4 and the phalanges 8 and runs generally along the arch 6 of the foot 2. Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. It involves inflammation of the plantar fascia.

An exemplary orthotic device 10 to treat plantar fasciitis in accordance with the disclosure is shown in FIG. 2. The orthotic device 10 illustratively includes a shoe insole 16 to be positioned within a shoe of the user/patient. The shoe insole 16 may comprise one or more materials. The one or materials may comprise materials of a minimum flexibility. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the shoe insole 16 needs to be inserted within a shoe of the user/patient. For example, the one or more materials may comprise foam, plastic, leather, rubber, or any other synthetic material with the needed performance characteristics.

The shoe insole 16 illustratively includes first and second opposing longitudinal sides 17, 18, and first and second ends 12, 13. The first end 12 would be adjacent a heel of the user/patient, and illustratively includes a heel pad 15. The second end 13 would be adjacent toes of the user/patient, and illustratively includes a toe bed 14.

The orthotic device 10 illustratively includes a massaging device 11 carried by the shoe insole 16 on an upper surface thereof. The massaging device 11 is adjacent the first longitudinal side 17, i.e. the inner side facing towards the user/patient. In the illustrated embodiment, the massaging device 11 abuts the first longitudinal side 17, but in other embodiments, the massaging device may be spaced from the first longitudinal side 17. In yet other embodiments, the massaging device 11 may be medially placed between the first and second opposing longitudinal sides 17, 18.

The massaging device 11 is longitudinally placed between the heel pad 15 and the toe bed 14 so that during use, the massaging device 11 is under a plantar fascia of the user/patient. During typical use, the massaging device 11 will massage the plantar fascia of the user/patient with each and every step.

In some embodiments, the massaging device 11 may be integral with the shoe insole 16. In other embodiments, the massaging device 11 may be separate from the shoe insole 16, and is attached to the shoe insole via an adhesive layer or hook and loop faster, for example, as described below with respect to FIG. 7.

The massaging device 11 may have a dome shape extending away from a surface of the shoe insole 16 as shown in the side view of the orthotic device 10 in FIG. 3. A bottom of the orthotic device 10 shown in FIG. 4 is generally the same shape and size as the top of the orthotic device 10 as shown in FIG. 2. The massaging device 11 illustratively includes a substantially round or oval shape (i.e. from a top plan view of FIG. 2). In other aspects, the massaging device 11 may have a rectangle shape. The cross-sectional shape of the massaging device 11 may be semi-circular (as perhaps best seen in FIG. 3).

Advantageously, the orthotic device 10 may massage the plantar fascia, which in turn reduces and, in most cases, eliminates the pain felt when walking. Of course, the treatment may require the user/patient to wear the orthotic device 10 for a period of time and continue to wear the orthotic device 10.

The massaging device 11 comprises one or more massaging materials 20 as shown in in FIG. 5A of sufficient rigidity to perform the massaging function, yet with sufficient resiliency to survive repeated use. In some embodiments, the massaging material 20 may include a semi-rigid material or rigid polymer, or silicone gels or foams, urethane foams, or shape memory polymer resins.

In a particular aspect the massaging device 11A may have massaging material 20 that encapsulates an electric powered vibratory unit 20 as shown in FIG. 5B. The electric powered vibratory unit 20 may be switched on by the user to deliver soothing sensations to the bottom of the foot in order to provide relief of the plantar fasciitis.

The massaging material 20 may also include beads 24 suspended within the massaging material 20 of massaging device 11B as shown in FIG. 5C. Accordingly, as the user walks on the orthotic device 10, the massaging material 20 is deformed allowing the beads 24 to individually massage the bottom of the foot.

In yet another aspect, the massaging device 11C may comprise a microwavable silicone rubber layer 26 sandwiched between an upper elastomeric layer 28A and a lower elastomeric layer 28B. Accordingly, the massaging device 11C is configured to be heated in a microwave to retain heat in order to apply the heat to the plantar fascia.

Referring now to FIG. 5E, the massaging device 11D may comprise an air-tight pocket filled with entrapped air 30. Accordingly, the massaging device 11D provides a cushion of air that allows some deformation in order to provide support but also comfort to relieve the plantar fasciitis. In addition, the massaging device 11D may have an exterior surface covered in nodules 31 extending away from the exterior surface of the massaging device 11D in order to provide additional massaging.

In another aspect, the massaging device 11E may comprise multiple layers of self-adhering compression bandage 32 (e.g. 3M Coban Self-Adherent Wrap, as available from the 3M Company of Maplewood, Minn.). In this aspect, the massaging device 11E is formed by wrapping the self-adhering compression bandage 32 around itself until the massaging device 11E of appropriate shape and size is formed.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the orthotic device 10A may include a second massaging device 21 carried by the shoe insole 16. In this particular example, the second massaging unit 21 is positioned adjacent to the first massaging unit 11 in order to provide a wider support surface to the plantar fascia.

In another aspect and referring now to FIG. 7, the massaging device 11F may be removably secured to the shoe insole 16. For example, a bottom surface of the massaging device 11F may have a first component 26 of a hook and loop fastener with the shoe insole 16 have a second component 38 of the hook and loop faster. Thus, the massaging device 11F can be removed and replaced with the same or even a different massaging device having different materials as described with respect to massaging devices 11A-11E above.

Another aspect is directed to a method of making an orthotic device 10 for treatment of plantar fasciitis in a foot. The method may include providing a shoe insole 16 having a first longitudinal side 17 and an opposing second longitudinal side 18, and a first end 12 and an opposing second end 13, where the shoe insole 16 has a shape and size to be positioned within a shoe. The method also includes securing a massaging device 11 to a top surface of the shoe insole 16, where the massaging device 11 is configured to be positioned on the top surface of the shoe insole 16 to be directly under a plantar fascia of the foot.

Yet another aspect is directed to a method of using an orthotic device 10 for treatment of plantar fasciitis in a foot, where the orthotic device includes a shoe insole 16 and a massaging device 11 carried by the shoe insole 16. The method includes inserting the orthotic device 10 into a shoe and positioning the massaging device 11 directly under a plantar fascia of the foot, and massaging the plantar fascia with the massaging device 11.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the present disclosure will come to the mind of one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is understood that the present disclosure is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications and embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. 

That which is claimed is:
 1. An orthotic device for treatment of plantar fasciitis in a foot, the orthotic device comprising: a shoe insole having a first longitudinal side and an opposing second longitudinal side, and a first end and an opposing second end, the shoe insole having a shape and size to be positioned within a shoe; and a massaging device carried by the shoe insole, the massaging device configured to be positioned on the shoe insole to be directly under a plantar fascia of the foot.
 2. The orthotic device of claim 1, wherein the massaging device comprises a dome shape extending away from a surface of the shoe insole.
 3. The orthotic device of claim 1, wherein the massaging device abuts the first longitudinal side.
 4. The orthotic device of claim 1, wherein the massaging device comprises an electric powered vibratory unit.
 5. The orthotic device of claim 1, wherein the massaging device comprises a gel having beads suspended within the gel.
 6. The orthotic device of claim 1, wherein the massaging device comprises a microwavable silicone rubber layer sandwiched between upper and lower elastomeric layers, the massaging device configured to be heated in a microwave to retain heat in order to apply the heat to the plantar fascia.
 7. The orthotic device of claim 1, wherein the massaging device is removably secured to the shoe insole.
 8. The orthotic device of claim 1, wherein the massaging device is integrated with the shoe insole.
 9. The orthotic device of claim 1, wherein the massaging device comprises an air-tight pocket filled with entrapped air.
 10. The orthotic device of claim 1, wherein the orthotic device comprises a second massaging device carried by the shoe insole.
 11. The orthotic device of claim 1, wherein the massaging device comprises multiple layers of a self-adhering compression bandage.
 12. The orthotic device of claim 1, wherein the massaging device having an exterior surface covered in nodules extending away from the exterior surface.
 13. An orthotic device for treatment of plantar fasciitis in a foot, the orthotic device comprising: a shoe insole having a first longitudinal side and an opposing second longitudinal side, and a first end and an opposing second end, the shoe insole having a shape and size to be positioned within a shoe; a dome shaped massaging device having an air-tight pocket filled with entrapped air and carried by the shoe insole, the dome shaped massaging device configured to be positioned on the shoe insole to be directly under a plantar fascia of the foot.
 14. The orthotic device of claim 13, wherein the dome shaped massaging device abuts the first longitudinal side.
 15. The orthotic device of claim 13, wherein the dome shaped massaging device comprises an air valve in fluid communication with the air-tight pocket and configured to release air or add air to the air-tight pocket.
 16. The orthotic device of claim 13, wherein the dome shaped massaging device comprises an electric powered vibratory unit.
 17. The orthotic device of claim 13, wherein the dome shaped massaging device is removably secured to a top surface of the shoe insole.
 18. A method to fabricate an orthotic device for treatment of plantar fasciitis in a foot, the method comprising: providing a shoe insole having a first longitudinal side and an opposing second longitudinal side, and a first end and an opposing second end, the shoe insole having a shape and size to be positioned within a shoe; and securing a massaging device to a top surface of the shoe insole, the massaging device configured to be positioned on the top surface of the shoe insole to be directly under a plantar fascia of the foot.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the massaging device comprises a dome shape extending away from a surface of the shoe insole.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the massaging device abuts the first longitudinal side. 